Now more than ever, it seems as though our daily lives are swept with the shifting currents of many winds. We find ourselves challenged by the pace of life, the need to balance family and

work, and figuring out how to navigate an increasingly smaller and complex world where social media constantly alerts us to competing social, political, and religious agendas. It’s in such a windy place as this that we take solace in the words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, bringing to us some much needed reassurance and sanity.

At his advent, Jesus came to us in the midst of a troubled world, joining the fray with an arrival that was fraught with trouble of its own. Across the highs and lows spanning the Christmas narrative, we encounter the importance of prayer, whether it comes mysteriously as in the case of Joseph’s dreams, or in the more conventional prayer of Simeon when Jesus was eight days old. Whether we come before God troubled or rejoicing, whether in a calm or windy place, the nativity reveals an encouraging message about prayer—that God stands ready to speak to us tidings of comfort and joy, for he knows us, and he knows what we are facing.

At his advent, Jesus came to us in the midst of a troubled world, joining the fray with an arrival that was fraught with trouble of its own. Across the highs and lows spanning the Christmas narrative, we encounter the importance of prayer, whether it comes mysteriously as in the case of Joseph’s dreams, or in the more conventional prayer of Simeon when Jesus was eight days old. Whether we come before God troubled or rejoicing, whether in a calm or windy place, the nativity reveals an encouraging message about prayer—that God stands ready to speak to us tidings of comfort and joy, for he knows us, and he knows what we are facing.

At his advent, Jesus came to us in the midst of a troubled world, joining the fray with an arrival that was fraught with trouble of its own. Across the highs and lows spanning the Christmas narrative, we encounter the importance of prayer, whether it comes mysteriously as in the case of Joseph’s dreams, or in the more conventional prayer of Simeon when Jesus was eight days old. Whether we come before God troubled or rejoicing, whether in a calm or windy place, the nativity reveals an encouraging message about prayer—that God stands ready to speak to us tidings of comfort and joy, for he knows us, and he knows what we are facing.

At his advent, Jesus came to us in the midst of a troubled world, joining the fray with an arrival that was fraught with trouble of its own. Across the highs and lows spanning the Christmas narrative, we encounter the importance of prayer, whether it comes mysteriously as in the case of Joseph’s dreams, or in the more conventional prayer of Simeon when Jesus was eight days old. Whether we come before God troubled or rejoicing, whether in a calm or windy place, the nativity reveals an encouraging message about prayer—that God stands ready to speak to us tidings of comfort and joy, for he knows us, and he knows what we are facing.

Weekly sermons from University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Biblical teaching centered on Jesus Christ, Scripture, faith, discipleship, spiritual growth, worship, and Christian living.

Weekly sermons from University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Biblical teaching centered on Jesus Christ, Scripture, faith, discipleship, spiritual growth, worship, and Christian living.

Weekly sermons from University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Biblical teaching centered on Jesus Christ, Scripture, faith, discipleship, spiritual growth, worship, and Christian living.

This week we will focus on peace, which is represented by the Angels candle. We will ponder the contrast between the world’s version of peace as represented in Ecclesiastes with God’s kind of peace.

This week we will focus on peace, which is represented by the Angels candle. We will ponder the contrast between the world’s version of peace as represented in Ecclesiastes with God’s kind of peace.